By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

A downed power line is responsible for starting the&nbsp;400-acre grassfire west of Manhattan on Wednesday, according to&nbsp; Riley County Fire District #1.

RILEY COUNTY - Just after 3:30 p.m. Riley County Volunteer Fire Crews were called out to the 2500 Block of Hidden Valley Road on the report of a grass fire.

Steep terrain, dry conditions and wind gusting upwards of 45 mph have made containing and extinguishing the fire more challenging.

Riley County Fire called in assistance from Manhattan Fire Department and Fort Riley Fire Department as mutual aid.

More than 25 firefighters responded to the fire, and as of 6:00 pm, the fire was approximately 70% contained.

Cause of the fire and extent of damage is to be determined.

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostA downed power line is responsible for starting the&nbsp;400-acre grassfire west of Manhattan on Wednesday, according to&nbsp; Riley County Fire District #1.-----------RILEY COUNTY - Just after 3:30 p.m. Riley County Volunteer Fire Crews were called out to the 2500 Block of Hidden Valley Road on the report of a grass fire.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d19650.529069103177!2d-96.69172777555166!3d39.21562445222344!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bdc9599442807b%3A0xaef7dcfc2030e5ba!2s2500%20Hidden%20Valley%20Trl%2C%20Manhattan%2C%20KS%2066503!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1678921744423!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>Steep terrain, dry conditions and wind gusting upwards of 45 mph have made containing and extinguishing the fire more challenging.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678921870568.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Riley County Fire called in assistance from Manhattan Fire Department and Fort Riley Fire Department as mutual aid.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678922120781.jpeg" alt="Riley County Fire Brush truck refilling with water" />
 <figcaption>Riley County Fire Brush truck refilling with water</figcaption>
 </figure>More than 25 firefighters responded to the fire, and as of 6:00 pm, the fire was approximately 70% contained.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678922201334.jpeg" alt="Firefighters lighting backfire to stop Hidden Valley Fire" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters lighting backfire to stop Hidden Valley Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>Cause of the fire and extent of damage is to be determined.

Officials determine cause of 400 acre fire west of Manhattan